2026 Register of Probate Berkshire County
The Register of Probate serves a six-year term with no term limits. They act as the chief clerk and records officer for the county’s Probate and Family Court, managing case records, court operations, and assisting judges and families involved in proceedings. The Probate and Family Court handles a wide range of family matters, including divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption, and abuse prevention, as well as probate matters such as wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes.
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Kenneth Paul Ferris
(Dem)
What are the most important duties of the Register of Probate and how would you prioritize them?
What skills or experience do you possess that will enable you to assist and protect all individuals, families and children in an impartial and respectful manner?
What are the principal challenges currently facing the Probate and Family Court in your county and how would you address them?
How would you adequately support families in need of services such as mental health resources and legal counseling?
The Register is responsible for maintaining court records and documents; issuing citations and notices; assisting the public in explaining procedural requirements for document filings; hiring and development of staff and ensuring that documents comply with procedural and statutory requirements.
My priority is to create and improve resources available to the public to make the process easier to understand and more user friendly.
I have been practicing law in Berkshire County for the past 35 years and a substantial portion of my practice has been in Probate & Family Court. I oversaw the Conciliation program which was comprised of local attorneys who assisted the Court with dispute resolution. I participate in the Lawyer of the Day program and accept assignments to act as counsel for children in divorce and custody cases.
One challenge that needs to be addressed is the growing number of pro se litigants and decreasing number of regular practitioners in the Probate & Family Court.
I want to work with the local bar and find ways to encourage local lawyers to take on family law cases. With respect to pro se litigants, I want to encourage ways to educate them as to the procedure and presentation of their cases.
Working with the Probation Department within the Probate Court is one way to assist people find mental health and family counseling services. The Lawyer of the Day program does assist with legal counseling. That program relies on volunteers and coordination of efforts with the local bar.
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